The Bead Swap Blog Hop

Yesterday I mentioned the bead swap organised by Sarah at My So Called Junky Life and revealed the Pretty Packaging that I made to parcel up my beads for Sarah. (Which, thanks to a certain Curly Scrapbooker, has quickly become a Pinterest favourite. Thanks Jo!)

Today, I'm able to show you the beautiful package that I received in return and, of course, the beads it contained. Since I was partnered with Sarah herself, I knew that I'd be in for a shabby chic treat and I was not disappointed. Just look at that ruffle and those gorgeous rhinestones! *swoon*

Inside, I found the cutest, little birds nests. I wasn't able to get a good photograph of them - because of their teeny-weenyness - but they're sure to be on show at some point! There was also a dinky bag filled with the most luscious beads - freshwater pearls, glass sparklers, rhinestones, cute charms and lovely findings. I'm a very lucky lady!

I haven't had chance to make anything with my new stash, but I'll be sure to share when I do. In the meantime, you might like to pop over to My So Called Junky Life to see photographs of the beads that I sent - because I'm a doofus and forgot to take photographs - and you'll also be able to find links to the other swap participants. I've found some fabulous new blogs to oogle!

Pretty Packaging

I discovered My So Called Junky Life a little while ago and spent a wonderful hour or two looking through Sarah's blog archives - oohing and ahhing over her super pretty jewellery and gorgeous photography. But out of all that loveliness, I was especially in awe of beautiful beads and pretty packaging that Sarah had featured in the Petite Bead Box Swap. How amazing it would be to take part in a bead swap like that!

So, I was beyond thrilled when Sarah decided to host another bead swap and I signed up to take part straight away. Then, of course, I had a moment or two of panic - the ones which always come with needing to send something impressive to a complete stranger.

I decided to make an envelope parcel using what has to be my favourite cardstock of the century - Basic Grey's Kraft. I then decorated the envelope using some handstamped leaves from Blissful Botanicals and Harvest Of Memories, along with some ribbon and flowers from Precocious Paper.

I'm thrilled with the way my packaging turned out and can guarantee that come Christmas I'll be trying this with traditional reds, greens and little bits of holly! It's a little early to be thinking of Christmas, right? How did that pop into my head?

I should be able to reveal the parcel that I received - along with it's beautiful contents - over the next day or two. In the meantime, perhaps you can tell me where you get your packaging inspiration?

The 'I Love It' Counterfeit Kit!

I hesitantly checked the Counterfeit Kit Challenge this morning for this month's inspiration kit - and I was absolutely thrilled with the kit for counterfeiting this month from Burlap & Buttercups.

I was so excited that I started on my kit straight away and initially pulled over thirty (!!!) pieces of patterned paper and cardstock. I finally managed to whittle that down to a main kit of sixteen pieces - larger than any of my other counterfeit kits. Obviously these are the colours I've been craving!

I've also added some Cosmo Cricket Tiny Types, a We Are Memory Keepers chipboard alpha set, gorgeous diecuts from The Girl's Paperie and some buttons from my stash. The cute lollipop flower, ribbon leaves and blue pin are all from Precocious Paper.

My fingers are literally itching to break into my new kit and start creating, but I'll definitely be visiting other counterfeiters to see how they've interpreted the kit. I think it's going to be a good month!

Just a note: I will visit everyone who posts a counterfeit kit this month - I love looking at the kits everyone puts together because it's always inspirational. But, Blogger still won't let me comment on all blogs (I'm still having trouble if you embed your comments.) I would comment if I could x

Cute Cards Continued!

As you know, I've been busy making little cards from all of my scraps this week and I just couldn't resist using the stamps from Lawn Fawn's Summer Release. They are just oh so lovely!

My first card features some of the leaves and a dinky little flower stamp from Blissful Botanicals and a sentiment stamp from Cruising Through Life.

The second card uses the most adorable clouds you'll ever see - they're from the Bon Voyage Set - along with the balloon stamps from Admit One and a sentiment from Blissful Botanicals.

And, last but not least, an idea for Father's Day using the sentiment stamps from Say Cheese Too and a couple of stamps from Admit One. Cute, right? Go get 'em!

Card Making Central

I'm sighing little happy sighs at the moment! I finally managed to sit down and create something - and with my May Counterfeit Kit. The one I really wasn't sure about. And you know what? Even though I didn't love the original inspiration kit, I do love what I've made.

Stamps from Lawn Fawn's Admit One and Papermania's Cupcake Minis

Stamps from Unity's Life Becoming

Anyway. I've been making cards again. You guessed that, right? All of a sudden I can't get enough of them. I'm so glad that I didn't give up on card making when it all seemed so hard!

Stamps from Unity's Quiet Essence and Lawn Fawn's Sophie's Sentiments

I think these dinky, little numbers are suitable for lots of occasions. Perfect for stashing away for unexpected moments of panic.

I've still got quite a lot of kit left - even if there is only a couple of days until the next Counterfeit Kit reveal - and there wasn't really a lot to begin with. But, I have big plans to create a mini book this evening. I'm joining in Kel's 52 Weeks & 52 Lists project which starts this Sunday and I want a little somewhere to keep them all. Watch this space!